Welcome to Gaia! ::

Reaching Stonehenge had been quite the trek leaving most of the moves tired and hungry. Russet had taken it into his own paws to stay with his son and companion like a firmly glued rock. Stepping through the veil was more of a dream as the atmosphere around him spoke calmness. Even in this placid state, he wasn't a fool leaving his guard down. Taking the lead he veered them off from the pack in their own small party.This was a new setting which back in Kells he traversed through several situations similar to this. He noted though that this particular setting was unlike anything he'd ever encountered with dazzling shimmers and reflection all around them. Russet wasn't the strongest wolf in the pack but, he wasn't a pup either. Each step they took inward he kept his son as close as he could. Walking with a rigid stance he paused head raised. Something in the vicinity had growled then vanished. Ears perked for any other sound he turned to his son, "Stay alert in here. I have no idea what that was, nor do I want to challenge the fates and find out".



Hidden Fox had heard the growl pretty much the same time his father had. Instinct urged him to investigate though his father was right. Yes, Russet was a healer but could he heal that what he had no inkling of understanding? Fox decided to play it safe as his paw brushed against at a strange flower that bore no threat. "So what should we bring back from this place?". His keen eyes spotted a rock lying on the ground, "Think Big Bad would like this shiny rock/crystal? Seems to be plenty here in this forest so we could take it with us till we find something better?" Honestly, that growl had weirded Hidden Fox out a small bit. There could be some dangerous things lurking in here much like back in Kells. Deciding on grabbing the strange shiny rock he placed it in a crude bag that vulture pair had helped make before the trip. "If we don't spot anything else we have a rock to bring back". His ears swiveled listening for that growl again while tightening the cord on the bag then dipping his head through it.




Light in the Storm was being cautious but, he himself wasn't paying any mind to the growls and uncertainty around him. This particular crow literally was flying from branch to branch soaking in everything around him. Using his beak he wedged a loose crystal from a branch then accidentally dropped it. shattering the crystal next to father and son. Feeling a bit out of context Light in the Storm stopped his antics and joined them on the ground. For a moment he said nothing walking around the two on high alert, "Whelp, these crystals are breakable. Make a note of that". He felt quite sheepish announcing the obvious but, maybe these two wolves would calm down with a bit of dry humor. Tilting his head he pruned his feathers cocking an eye at both of his companions, "Wonder how much luck the others are having? Maybe we should not try and break the scenery so much in case they come through here as well?"



~Taking a rock/crystal from the Crystal Forest

As they made their way through the crystal forest the healer exhaled in a worried manner. So far a low ominous growl had been their first welcome within this glorious, mystical realm. It wasn't a comforting feel as light danced around them, rather it made the hair on his neck prickle. Perhaps his thoughts within spoke too soon when something leaped past them almost like it was in flight. Squinting his eyes he noted this creature resembling a hare with horns carried some piece of jewelry within its mouth before it vanished. Russet blinked then turned to look at the other two.





Russet had noticed it first but Hidden Fox captured the movement like lightning instinct as both his ears and eyes caught sight of the creature that seemed to be both hare and deer? His mind couldn't grasp the fact but, he accepted it. The shining item grasped in the creature's mouth is what really captured his attention, "Wow! What was that creature carrying? Should we follow it?" His tail slightly wagged procuring the thought perhaps it could be something that they could bring back home.






Light in the Storm's beak opened abruptly, "Hold it! Fox that is the most far-fetched idea I've ever heard come from that maw of yours. Chasing after a creature in a land we know nothing about is bad business." Raising his wings he walked toward Hidde fox with an eye trained on him. "It's bad enough your sister is roaming here and now you want to go head first after some jackalope?"

Shaking his head he lowered his wings clearing his throat, "Just be a bit mindful before you get in over your head".

6. You're hungry and take a bite out of a glowing fruit. It's delicious! There are no side effects.


After passing through the Veil, as he found it to be called, time seemed to flow differently. Perhaps it was slower, perhaps faster. Either way, Whitestar lost count of how many days, hours even, he'd been in this new place.

Everything around him was fascinating and it all held his attention for much longer than it should have. He studied each odd tree and plant, doing his best to memorize the shapes and colours. He briefly thought of his father and how he'd enjoy the chance to examine and experiment with the herbs and fruits he'd found. A soft snort left his maw as he corrected himself. His father didn't enjoy anything.

The dark wolf had been studying an odd tree when he'd caught sight of something glowing behind it. Curiosity got the better of him as he carefully padded his way to it. Upon closer inspection, it looked like a fruit one would see in the healthy forests near the Redwoods.... except it glowed.

He chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment, poking the fruit with a paw before moving his head to sniff at it. It smelled really good, if he was being honest. A deep rumble of his stomach clawed at him and after another moment of contemplation, he bit into the strange glowing fruit.

Whitestar nearly melted at the divine taste exploding over his tongue. Never in his life had he eaten anything so good, and he doubted he'd ever eat anything like this again once he left with the search party. Pity....

Finally feeling a little better, Story picked herself up and put some distance between herself and the evil tree. A tale of triumph over adversity she thought to herself. It isn’t long before her stomach once again cries out for sustenance. “I need something, anything,” the she-wolf grumbled.

Low and behold, another tree appeared before her. This time it was a much nicer looking tree with smooth bark and fine branches. Sure enough, this was also a fruit-bearing tree, and thankfully, it’s fruit looked much different. These were small green things that had a more subtle smell. When touched, the fruit did emit a faint glow, which unnerved her, but perhaps it’s a common feature to the fruit of the Veil? Cautiously she took a little nibble. Mmmm. Good. It had tart flavor, but still sweet. She finished and started to look for another. What is this feeling of dread? Story notes a very familiar aftertaste as she rounds the corner of the tree. With horror she spots the unmistakable form of the fruit that made her ill yesterday, hanging from the tree. Clearly, the fruit undergoes significant change as it ripens, she realizes, sitting down as nausea overtakes her once more.

As the stars spin in the twilight sky, Story swears never to eat a glowing fruit ever again, over a puddle of rainbows on the ground at her feet.

After this, her third horrible ordeal, Story didn’t feel like moving. Her head spun when she arose and she wiped at her eyes with her paw. Her tummy growled yet again, but the thought of eating anything here disguised her. With a dry mouth, the Crows caretaker yawned and surveyed the area where she collapsed late last night. Her body told her what time it was even though the skies here were different.

This was not what she imagined for this journey. She did expect some setbacks, but being sick for most of the excursion was not one of them. With a heavy heart, she sighed; she felt more of a failure than a Crow. She wondered how Blackwater was doing. Story missed his company so much.

Preparing to leave Story noticed a cloth-wrapped bundle on the ground nearby. That wasn’t here before.she thought excitedly. The bundle was no bigger than a newborn pup; the fabric was purple and shimmered with flecks of gold. “Hello?” She looked around but could not see or hear anyone nearby. Sniffing the mysterious parcel emitted a floral scent. Once more, curiosity overwhelmed her, and she carefully opened what she assumed to be a gift.

“You have to be joking,” Story stared in disbelief at the audacious thing before her: berries. Glowing berries. I can’t; she thought. There’s no way…

For a long time, she stared at the berries. Does someone wish me harm? But they’re wrapped with such care? Story lay on her belly staring at the foreboding food. Can I? She sniffed at them. They look and smell completely different: small, oblong, purple things, and an odor reminiscent of apples. She poked at one with a claw: juicy, soft with a thin skin. Her stomach ached with hunger. Alright, just one.

She popped it in her mouth and waited a very long time before having another. Lo and behold she didn’t get sick this time. “Thank you, benevolent stranger!”

Strife traveled alone, as he was often to do. They'd leave the Veil tomorrow, and Strife had yet to experience much to speak of. Sure, s**t glowed and the sky was pretty, but that couldn't be all there was, right? No, that was ridiculous. He had left to get away, and now all he wanted to do was return home and see the cold wolf he found himself drawn to.

s**t, did he really just admit that? His ears swiveled backwards, hackles raising slightly. It didn't matter, it wasn't like she'd even glance at him again. He had pissed her off, and he wasn't sure what he even did to do so. He also wasn't sure why he cared so much, but -- he rather not find out. It was easier that way.

His paw stepped against wet earth and he jerked his head up to see... what the hell was he seeing? Balls of light with wings circled around him, coming in a million colors he couldn't quite register at the moment. His eyes widened, mouth dropping open as the balls fluttered around his face, one eye scrunching shut as one of the creatures nuzzled into his cheek. A paw raised to bat at the creature, but they had already begun to float off.

Huh.

During your travel you stumble upon a gathering of Wisps. They delight in circling around you before floating off into the distance.

Abyss had lost track of time. It was rare for her to be absorbed as she was but... that was the effect of the Veil, it seemed. That, and not having the gaze of her father on her liberated her. She was free, finally, to be who she wanted to be and do what she wanted. She wasn't the Alpha's daughter in the Veil; she was just a lone Dire wandering a sea of mysteries.

Her stomach rumbled and, like she had many times before, she took generously from the Veil. A glowing fruit found its way in her maw and an euphoria of delight ran through her at the taste. Delicious, a flavor she had never experienced bundle all into a soft and delicate fruit.

Except, shortly after her stomach protested, sharp pangs running through her body and shortness of breath following. It wasn't long before the contents of her stomach found way on the earth again and Abyss snuck off to lay in peace near a stream.

5. You're hungry and take a bite out of a glowing fruit. It's delicious! But... a little later you feel nauseous.